Published: Monday, May 13, 2013 at 5:46 p.m.

Last Modified: Monday, May 13, 2013 at 5:46 p.m.

Kevin Reed is out as director of the Power Plant business incubator and has passed up a chance to serve as director of new business and development for the Ocala-Marion County Chamber Economic Partnership.

“He is pursuing other opportunities and we certainly wish him well,” said Kevin Sheilley, president and chief executive officer of the CEP.

Reed said he wanted the community to know he did not simply walk away from the incubator.

“I am disappointed that the CEP has decided to take the Power Plant in a different direction,” Reed said. “I wish the organization well, and I continue to be passionate about the importance of supporting entrepreneurs here in Marion County.”

The Power Plant, where entrepreneurs with new ideas for businesses are nurtured in hopes of creating companies that would generate more jobs with higher-paying salaries, operates as an arm of the CEP.

CEP Chairman Cory Pool said his group was “very happy” with Reed’s performance running the Power Plant and his ability to interact with local businesses. He said Reed brought the facility, located downtown in the city’s former electricity generating station, to capacity in record time.

“We felt we could better utilize his talents in a wider, more global capacity,” Pool said. “He was going to be going into the CEP itself to be the director of new business and development and decided not to go in that direction.”

About the position he was offered, Reed said: “I want to help any way I can. However, I was concerned about putting the incubator on the back burner. It was going extremely well. It was very clear that it was not the top priority for the CEP.”

He said it was not clear why he could not stay on as head of the Power Plant.

“They just told me that they needed me to do a more important job,” Reed said. “I said that other job was not a good fit for me. They haven’t told me why I can’t remain in the role I have been very successful in.”

Reed said he has had “quite a few other interesting opportunities.”

“I am not going to make any decisions for a week or two,” Reed said.

He said he will be hiking in Colorado with his family next week and will make some decisions when he returns.

“I am excited to see what’s next,” Reed said. “I truly wish the organization well. It’s important that that organization is successful.”

The Power Plant opened its doors on Feb. 10, 2012, at 405 SE Osceola Ave. Reed was the incubator’s first director.

Pool said the incubator has been successful, with 15 companies and 70 jobs created.

Sheilley said he will be hiring two people at the Power Plant. One will oversee the facility and its leases. He said he hopes to have that position filled by the end of the month.

The other position will focus on working with the businesses and attracting businesses to the incubator.

<p>Kevin Reed is out as director of the Power Plant business incubator and has passed up a chance to serve as director of new business and development for the Ocala-Marion County Chamber Economic Partnership.</p><p>“He is pursuing other opportunities and we certainly wish him well,” said Kevin Sheilley, president and chief executive officer of the CEP.</p><p>Reed said he wanted the community to know he did not simply walk away from the incubator.</p><p>“I am disappointed that the CEP has decided to take the Power Plant in a different direction,” Reed said. “I wish the organization well, and I continue to be passionate about the importance of supporting entrepreneurs here in Marion County.”</p><p>The Power Plant, where entrepreneurs with new ideas for businesses are nurtured in hopes of creating companies that would generate more jobs with higher-paying salaries, operates as an arm of the CEP.</p><p>CEP Chairman Cory Pool said his group was “very happy” with Reed's performance running the Power Plant and his ability to interact with local businesses. He said Reed brought the facility, located downtown in the city's former electricity generating station, to capacity in record time.</p><p>“We felt we could better utilize his talents in a wider, more global capacity,” Pool said. “He was going to be going into the CEP itself to be the director of new business and development and decided not to go in that direction.”</p><p>About the position he was offered, Reed said: “I want to help any way I can. However, I was concerned about putting the incubator on the back burner. It was going extremely well. It was very clear that it was not the top priority for the CEP.”</p><p>He said it was not clear why he could not stay on as head of the Power Plant.</p><p>“They just told me that they needed me to do a more important job,” Reed said. “I said that other job was not a good fit for me. They haven't told me why I can't remain in the role I have been very successful in.”</p><p>Reed said he has had “quite a few other interesting opportunities.”</p><p>“I am not going to make any decisions for a week or two,” Reed said.</p><p>He said he will be hiking in Colorado with his family next week and will make some decisions when he returns.</p><p>“I am excited to see what's next,” Reed said. “I truly wish the organization well. It's important that that organization is successful.”</p><p>The Power Plant opened its doors on Feb. 10, 2012, at 405 SE Osceola Ave. Reed was the incubator's first director.</p><p>Pool said the incubator has been successful, with 15 companies and 70 jobs created.</p><p>Sheilley said he will be hiring two people at the Power Plant. One will oversee the facility and its leases. He said he hopes to have that position filled by the end of the month.</p><p>The other position will focus on working with the businesses and attracting businesses to the incubator.</p><p><i>Contact Susan Latham Carr at 867-4156 or susan.carr@starbanner.com.</i></p>